5 tips for winning hearts, minds of anti-gunners

Anti-gunners are all around us. Not only are they shopping at our corner supermarkets, exercising in our local gyms, frequenting our favorite bars and restaurants, dropping their kids off at our son or daughter’s school, working for the employers and businesses that we do, but they may even be living under the same roof.

Don’t panic.

While many are misguided and uninformed, anti-gunners are people too. As such they are susceptible to the same humanistic principles that guide our social universe, mainly the capacity to reason, verify facts and recognize when a previously held belief no longer rings true.

With that said, here are five tips to remember when trying to win over anti-gunners.

Attitude is everything

I could sum it up this way: don’t be a jerk!

Pro-gun control advocates holding a sign during a rally of One Million Moms for Gun Control in front of the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston on Jan. 26, 2013. (Photo: Chitose Suzuki)

This is easier said then done, of course. When discussing a hot-button topic like gun control, the fatuous idea that our constitutionally-protected Second Amendment right needs to be significantly restricted to save lives, it’s easy to get frustrated and angry. But don’t.

Let the better angels of your nature shine through during your conversation. What I mean to say is that you should be empathetic, patient, positive and kind. Hostility will get you nowhere. Pugnacity is a non-starter. And yelling your face off is futile, plus it makes you look like a fool.

Unfortunately, as pollster Frank Luntz has told us, a lot of the time it’s not a matter of what you say, but what people hear. Your interlocutor will not even begin to hear what your saying if you come across as a wrathful know-it-all.

So, be nice. And in staying true to that old adage: more honey, less vinegar (On this note, it might behoove one to refer to them as pro-gun control advocates instead of anti-gunners).

Listen!

Don’t be afraid to listen. By that, I mean really listen to what they’re saying. Don’t outright dismiss it because it conflicts with what you know to be true. It’s important to pay close attention to the details of their argument because those are what must ultimately be addressed to win hearts and minds.

Before you proselytize the gospel of guns to an anti-gunner, you need to know why the individual feels the way they do, which is directly connected to what they’ve read, what they’ve heard, the source of that information, what they’ve experienced and what they’re innate prejudices are against firearms and the Second Amendment. The only way to discover all of this is to ask questions and listen attentively.

It boils down to knowing your audience. The better you know your audience, the greater the chance that you have to impact the way in which they view firearms.

Facts are your best friend

Facts are your best friend in a conversation. And if your nice, and if you’ve listened to what your new friend has had to say, then you know what facts you need to share with them to disabuse them of their mistaken ideas.

“We need tougher gun laws because mass shootings are an epidemic in this country.”

Fact: Actually no, they’re not. According to criminologist James Alan fox of Northeastern University in Boston, mass shootings have remained constant since 1976, with an average of 20 per year.

“I’m pro-gun control because more guns creates more crime.”

Fact: FBI crime statics over the past two decades show that violent crime (including gun crime), property crime and the homicide rate (including the gun-related homicide rate) have all uniformly decreased while during that same time period gun sales have skyrocketed and permissive concealed carry laws have expanded to all 50 states.

In other words, it’s empirically clear that more guns do not have a positive effect on crime rates, in fact, if anything, more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens has the capacity to decrease violent crime, property crime and the homicide rate.

Those are just two examples, but there are many more.

Firsthand experience

During your productive and hopefully pleasant debate where you’ve not only imparted some wisdom but built up some mutually affinity it always helps to invite the individual to a range. You know, the old, “Well, don’t take my word for it, find out for yourself.”

Signs at a pro-gun control protest following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. (Photo KEZI.com)

In my opinion ignorance about and inexperience with firearms is really the biggest reason why people support gun control. They’ve never fired a gun, they’ve never been to a range, they know very little about them other than what they see in movies and on the front pages of their local newspaper. Consequently, they buy into the negative stereotype and in many cases become fearful of firearms.

Folks who support gun control need to be aware of the facts, as noted above, but they also need to discover for themselves the positive aspects of keeping and bearing arms. For one thing, shooting in and of itself is a fun activity. It’s exhilarating and can even be a stress reliever. Then there’s the very convincing argument that owning a firearm is the optimal way to defend oneself, family and property, to say nothing of the other bonuses like hunting and shooting sports.

But given some quality range time, with some insightful instructions on stance, grip, sight alignment, target acquisition, trigger manipulation, it doesn’t take long for one to get bitten by the gun bug.

The other reason I invite anti-gunners to the range is because it reveals a lot about their character. Those who refuse the invite for no legitimate reason show that they are deeply driven by an agenda or by an ideology as opposed to the pursuit of real knowledge, that is, the knowledge that’s required to make an informed judgment about a precious right.

Rinse, lather, repeat

Chances are you’re not going to hit a home run with every anti-gunner you meet the first time around. But if you stay persistent and if you follow all the tips I’ve illustrated, over time you’ll begin to change their perspective.

Think about it. It only makes sense. How long can someone maintain that firearms are the scourge of society when they have had several pleasant conversations with a likable, knowledgable gun owner (you) who has no shortage of facts to illustrate the good aspects of gun ownership?

This article assumes that the antis are dealing in an honest way stating their beliefs. These people are either totally dishonest active liberals or totally stupid passive liberals. Either way, there is only one way to deal with people that are trying to take away our precious rights; rights that many of us have spilled our blood and the blood of our enemies to preserve. We patriots are like the frog in the pot of cold water that was put on to boil: we’re going to get cooked unless we stop playing the liberal game and climb out of the pot and physically kick liberal ass. Unfortunately that will never happen until it is too late. They’ve made it so we have just enough that we won’t revolt. So, quit bitching and revolt or shut up and enjoy the warm water until you are served up as boiled frog.

You know of course a gun is irrelevant to your odds of committing a crime, right? Try this on an anti – “do you RIGHT NOW have the urge to commit a murder, boost a 7-11, jack a car, shoot up a school?” Answer will be “of course not”. If possible hand them a gun (unloaded, but they won’t know that). If not then ask them to imagine they are holding a gun. Repeat the question “do you RIGHT NOW….?” Answer will still be “of course not”.

So…. the presence of a gun in their hand was IRRELEVANT to the desire to murder, rob, shoot up a school, etc. It’s up to their intent, not the presence or absence of a gun.

The liberal antigun media rarely reports events where a gun prevents a crime, be it robbery or assault or murder. These events occur thousands of times a year in the US, but media chooses to focus only on “gun massacres.” Check out the facts for yourself..

My wife and I have a wide variety of friends, I of course have my “gun” friends who I share my ” Hobby ” with. Hobby is my wife’s word for my passion, it helps her rationalize my extensive collection. Recently at a home gathering of a mix of friends the subject of “guns” came up. I was surprised to learn that two of the men there, both my age ( late fifties), never even held a gun in their hand let alone fired one. One man told me the closest he came to a gun was to stand next to a police officer in line at a store.
So I offered, “Would you like to hold a gun?” So we went into my study, I opened my safe and chose two guns out of my collection of over fifty. I chose a mint condition 1858 Remington New Army, and a WW1 era Colt 1911. I spoke of the guns only in historical terms, who designed the guns, the wars that they were used in, how the were contracted by the government and other interesting facts. I never described firing the weapons. Both men held the weapons in the most awkward way imaginable, their lack of comfort with the weapons was completely obvious. I returned the weapons to the safe and we returned to the party. Both men bragged to the others on how just holding the guns made them want to shoot something or someone and how owning a gun could make you crazy and they could see why people go do mass shooting. I was shocked,
and have resigned myself from showing my collection to anyone but only other enthusiasts. Is this what “other” people think?
For some, would just holding a gun cause thoughts of killing others. Maybe not everyone should own a gun.

You’re absolutely right; many people have an inborn fear of guns. usually because of umfamiliarity or negative comments from others. Those of us who grew up around guns, or served in the military have opposing feelings on the subject. Sometimes, taking a novice to the range can turn him or her into a gun enthusiast; it depends on a person’s makeup and prejudicial system.

Seems like the problem they have isn’t with the guns but a mistrust of their own self-control. They napparently don’t trust themselves with a firearm and just assume everyone else to be the same. Do they get an urge to stab someone when the pick up a knife to carve the Thanksgiving turkey?

If that is truly how they felt then maybe THEY should not own a firearm. And that is ok. It should be a choice. But don’t ban chocolate ice cream just because YOU don’t like it or YOU eat too much of it. Respect MY freedom to choose for myself, just as I will respect (and defend) your right to choose for yourself.

I don’t have to ask anyone for permission to bear arms nor do I care what closet lean forward liberals like you think. You will next ask us to seek permission to excercise our 1st amendment right…God forbid that free speech offend anyone…what about 4th…5th? No, get off the fence, off this site and get back to your ilk. There is no middle ground on this issue and is the one isdue that decides electiobs and deadens the ears of conservatives who would otherwise embrace some liberal ideology! Not me…Not mine.

Here’s an idea: take a breath, Early Ray! You come off seeming really pissed off & angry, which isn’t helpful at all to the “side” you’re claiming to be on. An angry attitude only gives anti gunners more ammo. I don’t think you’ve served in rhe military as I have or you would already know it’s not a good idea to leave ammo laying around on the trail behind you; the other side can be counted on to use it against you. All they have to do is get their hands on a firearm that uses that type of round. Also, in H2H (hand to hand combat) it’s well known if your opponent can get you all flustered and get your panties in a wad, they will probably wind up winning the fight simply because you aren’t paying attention and miss something coming your way… Chill Out, Pal, your attitude isn’t helping us one little bit.

I am not angry, not on any side, didn’t serve in military, don’t care if you served, don’t care about military hyperbole, aphorisms, colloquialisms, allegories. My 2nd amendment rights belongs to me individually, without reservation, condition or permission. I am not on a PR mission to sell anti-gun proponents on the validity and legitimacy of the constitution. The idea itself is repugnant to the constitution. FYI…composed with a glass of t

Composed with a glass of cold ice tea, blood pressure 120/80; heart rate 72 bpm. One problem today is that anyone taking a definitive position is labeled angry or socially challenged of which I am neither. It does underscore one thing…that we Americans typically cannot agree on anything not even the things we agree on. Also why Democrats will probably stay in power. God Bless America. God Bless Israel.

Here’s an idea: take a breath, Early Ray! Some of you guys come off seeming really pissed off & angry, which isn’t helpful at all to the “side” you’re claiming to be on. An angry attitude only gives anti gunners more ammo. I don’t think you’ve served in the military as I have, or you would already know it’s not a good idea to leave ammo on the trail behind you; the other side can be counted on to use it against you. In H2H (hand to hand combat) it’s well known if your opponent can get you all flustered and get your panties in a wad, they will probably wind up winning the fight simply because you aren’t paying attention and miss something coming your way… Chill Out, Pals, your attitude isn’t helping us one little bit.

My wife wont touch a firearm and my daughter was so afraid of them she would break out in tears just hearing me rack my shotgun.
My daughter asked me what I wanted for my birthday.
I told her I wanted her to come shooting with me and her brother in the desert.
She agreed.
Turns out she is a real good shooter.
She blew bubbles head off of her old piggy bank with my sons AR 5.56 at 50 yards, the very 1st shot she ever took.
She’s hooked, my wife may take a while (I’ll never push it).
But my wife dose know the importance of firearms past and present in this country.
I don’t like wasting my time arguing about gun rights to others.
I just tell them we wouldn’t have our Liberty and Freedom without them.
I may mention to check U.S .history to prove me wrong.(that never happens).
Here’s my 4 tips;
1. Teach American History (they didn’t learn in school).
2. Responsibly take them shooting.(It’s always fun and they never turn back).
3. Learn the history of the NRA, and join. (or sign them up for life)
4. Watch this video and pass it around -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5ELyG9V1SY
Happy Shooting!

Useful, advice. Actually, it’ s effective public relations 101. However, you can see from some of the responses here … common sense is lost on the Richard Heads who manage to hurt our cause and give ammunition to the opponents of the 2nd Amendment.

Why would you think that someone that supports using effectivc public relations in support of a robust Second Amendment is actually against the Second Amendment? SHOULD one have to refrain from being a jerk in order to preserve a basic right? No. Is that the SMART thing to do when you live in a democratic republic? I think that it clearly is. And it also has the benefit of one not being a jerk just on general principle. Pounding the desk and trying to convince a liberty skeptic that he or she has “lost” the argument is not an effective strategy. Pick up a copy of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Also Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. Very helpful.

It is a health care issue. Take the profit out of health care with a single payer system, and make mental health care an equal member issue. All teachers, schools, police, and hospitals, doctors need to list people who are obviously strange and threatening in manners and actions. Over the course of time people reported to be a real obvious problem be listed on a public watch out list with domestic disturbance people and convicted felons. This public safety list be the main item that people who want to buy a gun have to negotiate in a mandatory background check. Get rid of those ridiculous questions where people who want to buy guns give a background check to themselves by answering are you mentally unstable. are you a nice person and all that crap. go through a background check like what is required to enter the military.

Sorry, Dink, but that’s simply not true.
In the phrase, “The Right of The People…” the term “The People” refers to able-bodied citizens. At the time, felons, blacks, and the shunned (crazy people) were not considered to be able-bodied citizens, and thus were not protected by the Bill of Rights.

Convicted felons legally lose some of their rights as a result of the conviction. They cannot own firearms, and in some states their voting rights are restricted or revoked as well as the ability to hold public office.

Interesting theory, except that I have pretty close to zero confidence in the ability of most of those people to find the flakey ones.

Teachers are so left-wing and uninformed now that they’d probably report any kid who even MENTIONED firearms, and so many cops now have moved politically to the left that I wouldn’t trust them, as a whole, either.

And doctors? Keep in mind that the AMA, CDC, and several other medical gangs have been heavily supporting the anti-gun movement for decades now.

And, as a whole, most of those groups — even cops — don’t know enough about firearms to even be discussing policy matters. Forty or fifty years ago most cops were at least passably familiar with firearms in general. Nowadays a high percentage of them, particularly in urban areas, have never fired anything other than their duty pistol and a pump shotgun, and probably couldn’t figure out how to load a revolver or a double-barrel.

As lousy as it is, the current (theoretically) method of just listing the nutters who have been reported for institutionalization or declared incompetent is a more logical method — IF, and only if, we can ever force the psychiatrists & counselors to actually report them honestly.

Sir, you are correct. Although, let me add, there are extremists on both sides of the debate. I don’t argue with people and certainly never get in shouting matches. No one wins. From my own experience, posting here I allowed that I prefer DC and a safety on my carry pistols. Just my preference as I am on old timer, nothing more. I of course was flamed and one poster even suggested I should not own firearms if I didn’t trust my trigger discipline. I have owned and shot firearms for 51 years without mishap. I of course ignored these attacks. But what if I was new to shooting? Would this have been productive criticism? I think not. Long live the 2nd. Peace.

While there are certainly some anti-gunners who can never be reached with rational debate — particularly the over-emotional morons we often see on TV or at demonstrations — it’s certainly a fact that we will persuade NOBODY if we use their tacitcs — screaming and lying. That’s simply a waste of your time & hurts us in the long run.

One should attempt calm, rational discussion. At least you have a chance at persuading the normal but misguided (or just uninformed) majority. Most of them have been fed nonsense “facts” and really don’t know much about the issue. But if you DO — and can foster a calm, friendly discussion, you have a chance at winning them over to our side.

I work in higher education–I’m a professor–and I have used variants of this method for years. I daresay I’ve gotten a few of my scores of liberal colleagues to at least soften their attitudes toward guns. Yes, we need strong political and legal activity! But being a reasonable advocate, as opposed to the image of slavering rednecks the media loves to hang on us, is really key.

I too taught university, but am a flaming pinko liberal. Here’s the BIGGEST mistake I see people make: and I saw it on National Television even!!! – A ‘liberal’ (to use a word with a common conception) is enticed to “Just give it a try, KNOW what you are talking about!”. The person agreed. So out come straight blow-back (Browning A-5), and closed barrel 12 gauge shotguns and the skeet. Pardon the language, but WTF???

You have someone afraid of ‘firearms’ and you START them with a 12 gauge!!!??? On SKEET!!!??? Might as well start with an off-hand shot at a target with a 300 win mag.!!! To tell you the truth, if the FIRST firearm I shot was a 12 ga. or a .300 win mag, I’d be SERIOUSLY LIFE-TIME AGAINST ALL FIREARMS PERIOD!!!! Grandpa had me at his 22LR at 7 going on 8. I’m stupid enough to have tried a neighbors .460 Weatherby mag off-hand . . . . ONCE.

Why not start them off with a nice bolt or pump or semi-auto .22LR and make a game out of ‘hit the can (or target) at X then Y then Z feet. Now THAT can be addictive — It is for me. Then move the the adult version of the .22LR, the 5.56 (.223) and do the same evolution – no need to blow the shoulder off. I sure would NOT start someone on my 45-110 or 45-70 for a ‘fun’ and ‘pleasant’ experience. Give them a bipod – make it FUN – anyone who walks way with ANY discoloration of skin ANYWHERE is going to hate firearms FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND BEYOND.

So they don’t want to try a pistol, or rifle, but are willing to try one or the other- keep the caliber SMALL, the recoil near zero – remember, the point is that it’s FUN – all that stuff about ‘self-defense’ doesn’t really mean jack — most people don’t understand one shot seldom kills instantly. And they never will — ‘but my 44 mag JPH will!’ — no, it might.

Leave THAT argument, use against other people in the background — it’s the heart you want to win first, THEN the mind. Even if the pacifist LOVES to ‘Zen Targer Shoot’ he’s FOR gun rights more than before.

Most people are NOT single issue voters, so don’t make them one. When given a choice, if they’ve had a FUN experience with a firearm they are FAR less likely to vote for gun-restriction, than if you scared the crap out of them — short or long arm. And of course when you DO get them to come along to the range ‘just to find out’ — give the saftey lecture – it’s basic common sense – We all know the two most important rules: #1 every firearm is loaded, treat it that way and #2, don’t ‘lase’ someone. It’s not about killing or disabling or what ever you want to call it, when push comes to shove, it’s about hitting the target. STAY ON TOPIC. Answer other questions politely, but focus on the job at hand: fun. All the rest will follow in time.

If it’s not fun, no one will want to do it – make a day of it at the range – or out in the desert at your favorite slope. Police your Brass – it will make people happy that you aren’t littering up the desert or forest. Even 22LR – find them and bag them. It will make everyone happy.

and of course do not EVER break rule #3 “Hey Y’all watch THIS!”. Not cool (but did you know a .270 HPBT **WILL** blow a hole though a railroad track?) — not in front of people you are trying to show respect to.

Go large and go GENTLY — and if you don’t get a chance to go large, keep it small, it’s cheaper, and it is just as much fun — just because you are 30-40-50-60-70 doesn’t mean a .22LR is NOT fun!!!! Hell, you can have more fun off a brick of ammo than you could in 3 days of trying for that 1″ 1000 meter group. AND you shoulder and your eye-socket will thank you if you forget to keep that stock firmly in your shoulder and or pull the trigger before you are ready — we’ve ALL done that. If you haven’t you have a selective memory. I’ve had an ’03 and 700 even a model 7 go off closing the bolt (yes, Sir! it IS possible)!!! It’s scary, but sometimes, after enough rounds, probability says that sooner or later you WILL have an accident, what keeps it an accident and not maiming or murder is rule #2): don’t laze what you don’t want to kill.

Just keep the caliber small enough to have fun – on YOUR dollar. If it’s a pistol, same rules apply– start small – .22lr, then move to — what’s next? .380? 9mm? Certainly not a .50 cal Desert Eagle. “Here try this one, it’s really FUN!” – AH, no, it’s NOT. I worked at a college where one of the gunsmiths designed and build a 45-70 pistol for his ‘final project’ at the gunsmithing program we had. Thank goodness for black powder! And even then – not for beginners. Remember: KISS — KEEP IT SMALL, STUPID.

I think that you have hit on some good points and I would like to agree with you. However, the anti-gun people are the bullies in most of these discussions. You very seldom get thru any article where gun owners are not accused of being racist, cowards, having small sex organs and worse.

While I admire your aspirations in regards to enlightening those that wish to restrict gun rights, in the long run it wont bee successful. Just as there are some that would wish to restrict speech, the same is true in that they don’t want to have this “conversation” unless they get something out of it. They aren’t going to give anything to the gun rights side anything beyond us getting to keep what they allow us to have, till next time.

Hi Folks ,
I met A whole bunch of anti gun liberals @ an anti gun demonstration in Nashua ,NH last year ..
It was my first at one of these events. I stayed up late the night before making up a sign with the latest F.B.I. stats. on violent crime..
I showed the facts to the anti’s and they said I was liar ,the figures were not true and that I had made up these figs. myself.
So I said to the anti’s ,I guess I can’t confuse you people with FACTS because you mind is already made up, Right !
I didn’t get a response ..
After I saw what we (pro gun people ) were up against , I went to a printer and spent 500.00 dollars on cards to pass out and signs with facts on them..
The pro gun people out numbered the anti’s by five to one we had the surrounded ,so that nobody could see them from the street.
But our guts were not as prepared as the anti’s, no cards to pass out to passer bye’s and very few signs ,that’s the reason I went to the printer ..
At least now when the Anti’s come back to NH We will be ready ! It’s more serious than we think ! I urge you all to do more to fight . TY for reading this Bill Quirk

Right you are. I have a neighbor (60 year old woman) who is the classic Lib; Guns are bad, the Palestinians are simply misunderstood & the SKY IS FALLING!!! She does not want to hear anything about any of the topics that separate the Libs from the Conservatives. You simply cannot have a discussion about any of the topics that separate us. I don’t bring up any of the topics. Instead, I wait for her to make her comments then I refute them with facts. She gets pissed because I don’t automatically agree with the stuff coming out of her mouth. I’ve always been able to discuss things with others, even those where we disagree & we come away from it still friends but with this woman it is almost like the little kid who falls to the floor, puts her hands over her ears & says “lalalalala” until it is safe to pull her head back out of her backside.

My mom worked for Obama. Every time a politico lied on TV I would call her and dialog. She is a New Yorker and deftly afraid of firearms. By the time I finished she wrote a pro gun letter to my rep(s). When she visited I took her to the range and her fav was my Saiga 7.62 x 39 (AK47). Nothing like a 76 year old liberal women shooting an AK, LOL! Be nice, dialog and know your stuff, we can and will win if we use the light of the truth! Keep pushing, one at a time. Good luck.